Closure for discharge openings



Sept. 10, 1935. 1 L, EilRlcH ETAL 2,014,041

CLOSURE FOR DISCHARGE OPENINGS Filed March 16, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 1 l I I I l 1 I 2 12. 5 Y/ ///V//) llHHll I I I4 1 A! 4 P 0, 1935. 1... EIRICH ET AL CLOSURE FOR DISCHARGE OPENINGS Filed March 16, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 m w x 5 53 3-|| 1 a M E \J B 111 AM 2 IL A fi \\u w i A 0 Q 9% Patented Sept. 10, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Ludwig Eirich and Joseph Eirich, Hardheim, Baden, Germany Application March 16, 1934, Serial No. 715,978 In Germany and Sweden April 4, 1933 10 Claims.

This invention relates to closures for discharge openings in the floors of stationary or rotary containers and chambers, the closures being of the kind in which a shutter normally fits into the discharge opening but can be lowered and swung clear of the opening.

According to the U. S. A. patent application Serial No. 663,810 the shutter works on a pivot fixed to the floor, and can be raised and lowered on this pivot, and rotated about it when lowered, and in one form of construction the pivot has at the bottom a boss with an internal screw thread engaging an externally screw threaded and flanged sleeve, which is rotated by means of a gear wheel, the boss, when shutter is in its lowest position, bearing on the flange of the sleeve and being coupled therewith, so that on further rotation the shutter is rotated with the sleeve and swung under the floor.

According to our present invention the shutter is carried by a cylinder or ring engaged by screw threads with another ring, so that by turning the latter the shutter is raised or lowered by screw action, when restrained from rotation, and is rotated with the other ring, when free to rotate.

This arrangement enables a clear passage through the two rings referred to to be afforded to the material discharge from the container, without obstruction by a central pivot and arms for rotating the sleeve. Obstruction by the pivot and arms is of little or no importance in the case of dry, granular material, but with stiff plastic material, such as clay and the like, it is preferable to have a clearer passage. Another advantage afforded by our present invention is that it enables the discharge opening to be made substantially larger than is generally practicable, with a container of given size, in the case of the parent invention. This is of importance where stiff plastic material is dealt with and is liable to form large lumps liable to clog the opening unless it is large. The absence of the central pivot is also of some advantage in cases where heavy edge runners are used in the container or pan, liable to make the floor bend and vibrate.

Examples of apparatus according to the invention are shown in the annexed drawings, in which I Fig. 1 is a vertical section showing one form of construction, and

Fig. 2 is a partial horizontal section on the line AA of Fig. 1.

Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are vertical sections showing other forms of construction.

Referring first to the construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the container or pan has fixed to the underside of its bottom a ring with an outwardly directed flange at its lower rim. Within the circumference of the ring I there is a ring 2 5 surrounding a hollow cylinder 3, and the ring 2 has fixed thereto a crown wheel 1 and a flange engaging over the flange on the ring I. The ring 2 has an internal screw thread I! engaging an external screw thread on the cylinder 3. At the top the cylinder 3 carries a shutter 8 for an aperture 5 in the bottom of the pan. A coned ring 6 at the bottom of the cylinder 3 forms a seat for a hopper Iii. A pinion l is engaged with the crown wheel 4, for rotating the ring 2.

The shutter 8 is semicircular and capable of fitting into the opening 5, flush with the floor of the pan. The cylinder 3 has at the top a flange I2 adapted to abut against the ring 2, as shown in Fig. 1. An abutment 9 projects downwards from the floor of the pan, at one end of the diametral edge of the opening 5.

When the shutter 8 is in the opening 5, and the ring 2 is rotated in one direction by means of the pinion "l, the shutter, being unable to rotate with the ring 2, is withdrawn downwards by screw action, and the flange l2 becomes seated on the ring 2. Being withdrawn from the aperture 5 the shutter can rotate with the ring 2, until it strikes the abutment S). The aperture is then fully exposed. On rotation of the pinion and ring 2 in the opposite direction the shutter rotates under the floor of the pan till it strikes the abutment 9 from the opposite direction, and then it is lifted by screw action into the aperture 5. At the same time the ring 6, projecting outwards beyond the circumference of the cylinder 3, is lifted into contact with the bottom edge of the ring 2. The ring 2 embracing the cylinder 3 has a strong frictional grip for rotating the same, when it is free to rotate, and there is an unobstructed passage from the aperture 5 to the mouth of the hopper lil.

In the modification shown in Fig. 3 the ring I has two downwardly directed flanges, forming 5 an inverted channel within which the ring 2 is located, and the cylinder 3 has a channel into which the inner flange extends. The cross section of ring 2 is approximately of inverted U- shape, with the gear teeth formed in the channel thereof. The ring 2 and the screw thread II are thus well protected from contact with material discharged from the pan. Liquid or dust penetrating through the crevice between the ring I and the inside portion of the cylinder 3 passes out through openings in the floor of the channel in the cylinder.

Instead of using a hopper below the aperture 5 there may be a receptacle of any convenient size. The same may be sufiiciently large to receive several loads or batches discharged from the pan. The use of a large receptacle may be preferred in cases where liquid or mobile granular material is discharged from the pan at a high rate,.so that temporary storage is desirable, the receptacle being provided with a cock or valve enabling it to be emptied at a lower rate.

In the modification shown in Fig. 4 the crosssection of the ring I is also approximately of inverted U-shape, the outer flange thereof, designated |3, being seated against a fixed bearing M. The ring 2 has at the top a horizontal flange I! held by a ring l5 fixed by screws to the ring I. A bevel wheel I8 is fixed by screws to the ring 2, for rotating it by means of a bevel pinion, not shown. Within the space It between the inner flange of the ring I and the cylinder 3 there are two abutments I9, fixed to. theparts and 3:16- spectively, for limiting the rotation of thepart 3. When the part 3 is lowered by screw action its under surface 2| is firmly pressed against a flange 22 of the cylinder 2. It will be seen that the screw thread H and the vabutments- |9-are well protected from the pan when the shutter-8 is open. The cylinder 3 has a flange 22, to which a flange on the hopper It], or on a receptacle substituted for the hopper, is fixed by screws. The flange of the hopper has perforations Him the passage of liquid or dust which has leaked past the hopper.

The rims of the shutter 8 and aperture 5 may be bevelled or channelled. if required for-making an adequately tight joint.

Fig. 5 shows a modification in. which the pan is rotatable. Fixed to the bearing I4 is a pivot 24, on which is a freely rotatable pinion 26 meshing with a toothed wheel 21 fixed to'the ring I, so that the wheel 26 is rotated by rotation of the pan. The pivot 24 has a downward extension with a screw thread 25, and upon this is screwed a sleeve 28 having a flange 29 at the top; Upon the sleeve 28 is mounted the hub 30 of: a, toothed wheel 3|, which meshes with a toothed wheel 33 fixed to the cylinder 2, the wheel 33 beingof smaller diameter than the wheel 21. Around the hub of the wheel 3| there is a fixed bearing 32 with a flange 35. The wheel 26 has fixed thereto a coned friction clutch 34 adapted to coact with the wheel 3|, the inner rim of the latter being coned for that purpose. The under surface 36 of the wheel 3| is pressed against the flange 35 when the wheel is lowered. The screw threaded sleeve 28,can be rotated'by-meansof a:hand-lever 31 fixed thereto.

Fig. 5 shows the clutch 34 engaged; By rotating the lever 31 in one direction. the sleeve 28 and wheel 3| are lowered, so that the wheel 3| is disengaged from the clutch and pressed against the flange 35, which acts as a brake and stops rotation of the wheels 3|, 33 and cylinder 2. The rotation of the pan continues, however, to-rotate the ring 3, and the shutter is lowered by screw action. By rotation of the lever in the opposite direction the wheel 3| is again engaged with the clutch 34, so that the wheel 33 and cylinder 2 are rotated at a speed exceeding that of the pan, and the shutter is closed by screw action.

The lever 37 has a notch 38, into which a spring loaded catch 39 normally engages, for holding ring, means for restraining rotation of the 010- I sure plate and its carrying ring when in one position, sothat by turning the second ring the closure plate is raised or lowered by screw action when restrained from rotation and is rotated when free to rotate,

2.. Closure'mechanism for controlling a discharge: opening: in the floor of a container, comprisinga, closure plate corresponding in shape to an opening in said floor, a ring fixed to the underside of, the floor of the container and having an outwardly directed flange, within the circumference, a second ring within the first ring,

said second ringsurrounding a hollow cylinder, said second ring having a ring gear fixedv thereto for rotating the ring and having a flange engaging over. the flange of the first ring, said second ring having an internalscrew thread engaging an external screw threadon the cylinder, an abutment tolimitation of the semi-circular motion of the closureplate.

3.. Closure mechanism for controlling discharge openings in they floors of containers comprising a.c1osure plate corresponding in shape to an opening in said floor, a ring fixed to the underside of the floor of the container and provided with outwardly directed flange, a second-ring-within the first ringand surrounding a hollow cylinder, said second ring having a ring gear fixed. thereto, a pinion engaged with the ring. gear for rotating the ring, an abutment projecting downwardly from the floor of the container athoneend of .the diametral edge of the opening for limiting rotary movement of the plate.

4. Shutter mechanism relating to closure mecha-nismfor controlling discharge openings in the floors, of containers, comprising a closure plate corresponding in shape to the opening in thefloor, a ring fixed to the underside of the floor of the containercand provided with an outwardly directed. flange, a second ring within the first ring and surrounding a hollow cylinder, said second ring having a ring gear fixed thereto, a pinion engaged with the ring gear for rotating the ring,'the said cylinder having an external screw thread and having a flange at its upper portion and also having a flange at its lower portion projecting outwardly and abutting against the second ring, said second ring having an in- 60 ternal screw thread engaging the screw thread of thecylinder and a discharge hopper fixed at thebottom of the cylinder.

5. Shutter mechanism relating to closure mechanism for-controlling discharge openings in the floors of containers comprising a closure plate corresponding in shape to the opening in the floor, a ringcarrying said closure plate, a second ring having screw threads engaging the first ring, a third ring having two downwardly directed flanges, forming an inverted channel within which are located the first and second rings, and the third ring having. approximately an inverted U shape, a ring gear onsaid third ring in the channel, and a pinion engaging with the ring gear.

6. Closure mechanism for controlling discharge openings in the floors of containers, comprising a closure plate corresponding in shape to the opening in the floor, said closure plate being carried by a ring, a second ring having screw threads engaging the first mentioned ring, a third ring fixed on the underside of the container and provided with two downwardly directed flanges forming an inverted channel. The first and second rings being located in said channel, said third ring having approximately inverted U-shape and having a ring gear formed in the channel, a pinion engaged with the ring gear, and the ring carrying the closure plate also carrying a discharge hop-per having a flange fixed thereon by screws.

7. Closure mechanism for controlling discharge openings in the floors of containers, comprising a closure plate corresponding in shape to the opening in the floor, said closure plate being carried by a ring, a second ring having screw threads engaging the first ring, a flange fixed on said container, abutments limiting the rotation of the closure plate fixed respectively, to the ring carrying the closure plate and to said flange, said abutments being arranged in a concentric space between said ring and flange.

8. Closure mechanism for controlling discharge openings in the floors of rotary containers including a stationary vertical pivot below the container, having a pinion freely rotatable thereon and also having a screw threaded extension, a sleeve screwed on said extension, a toothed wheel fixed to the floor of the container and meshing with said pinion, said sleeve having a second pinion mounted thereon, a second toothed wheel of smaller diameter than the first mentioned toothed wheel fixed to the screw threaded ring and meshing with said second pinion, said second toothed wheel being rotated for raising and lowering the closure plate, said mechanism also 5 including a clutch whereby said pinions can be coupled with each other.

9. Closure mechanism as claimed in claim 8, and in which the clutch comprises a coned friction member fixed to the pinion mounted on the pivot, and a complementary part at the rim of the other pinion, the complementary part being axially movable, a fixed brake member, said complementary part being adapted by axial clutch disengaging movement to engage with said fixed brake member.

l0. Shutter mechanism relating to closure mechanism for controlling discharge openings in the floors of containers, comprising a closure plate corresponding in shape to the opening in the floor, a ring fixed to the underside of the floor of the container and provided with an outwardly directed flange, a second ring within the first ring and surrounding a hollow cylinder, said second ring having a ring gear fixed thereto, a pinion engaged with the ring gear for rotating the ring, the said cylinder having an external screw thread and having a flange at its upper portion and also having a flange at its lower portion projecting outwardly and abutting against the second ring, said second ring having an internal screw thread engaging the screw thread of the cylinder, and a container fixed to the flange at the lower portion of said cylinder, said container having a discharge valve.

LUDWIG EIRICH. JOSEPH EIRICH. 

